A health board has issued an apology for its air cooling system "not working adequately" at a children's hospital in Cardiff, as Wales braces itself for extreme heat and record high temperatures. Staff working on the Rainbow ward of Noah's Ark Children's Hospital at Heath Park Way have aired concerns that they are having to work in boiling conditions on a normal day, and fear that it will be "dangerous" when the full effect of the heatwave kicks in.
It comes as there is an amber warning for the whole of Wales and for the first time ever a red warning has been issued for parts of the UK because of concerns 40C could be recorded in the UK. The red warning for Monday and Tuesday says there is a "very likely" risk of lives being endangered. It adds: "Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking, temperatures are likely on Monday, then again on Tuesday. Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm for the UK, especially in urban areas. This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure. Temperatures are expected to drop away from Wednesday onwards." Click here to read more about the warnings.
A source told: "Staff at Rainbow ward are extremely concerned and worried about upcoming heatwave. Staff are extremely busy and heating has been broken for months with nobody doing anything about it. On a normal day ward is boiling but upcoming heatwave conditions will be unbearable and dangerous." Get stories like this straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board acknowledged the issue and explained how free ice creams and ice lollies will be available to staff, children and families as they look to rectify the issue. A spokesman said: “On our paediatric oncology Rainbow Ward, the in-patient ward area is at an ambient temperature and has been throughout the current heatwave.
"However, we do have some issues with our day case chemotherapy area where the air cooling system is not working adequately. Engineers are working on fixing the fault as quickly as possible. The Health Board has identified available space to facilitate day cases in an alternative ward area over the coming weekend if the air cooling system is not able to be fixed. We apologise to patients, visitors and staff who may have been affected.
“Due to the weather warning and anticipated high temperatures, the Health Board has made a number of temporary changes to guidance including uniform policy to support staff in continuing to provide high-quality, safe and effective care. Thanks to Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, free refreshments such as ice creams and ice lollies will be available for staff across several sites. Our staff will continue to ensure our patients and visitors are comfortable are well cared for. Noah’s Ark Charity will also kindly be providing cold water and ice lollies for children and families at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.”
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